How Solskjaer set up Man United's attack for victory at Spurs

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  • Solskjaer's side is were eliminated from the FA Cup

    Manchester United‘s remarkable run under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – perhaps improbably – continued with a 1-0 victory away to Tottenham on Sunday.

    Marcus Rashford’s strike from a superb Paul Pogba pass just before half-time proved to be enough for the visitors to secure a vital Premier League win and go level with fifth-placed Arsenal on points.

    Spurs threw everything at United in the second half but a phenomenal display from David De Gea kept them at bay.

    Here’s how Solskjaer’s tactics got the better of Mauricio Pochettino – the pretender to his Old Trafford post.

    BASIC STATS

    30-SECOND REPORT

    Solskjaer said they went to Dubai to work hard and the fruits of that effort were abundantly clear. Not only did United seem to have an extra gear over Spurs following a week of warm weather training, they clearly did their homework as well.

    The Red Devils were exceptionally organised, congesting the central areas and forcing Tottenham wide. In the transition, they were calculating and attacked at pace with Rashford’s opener perfectly following the blueprint. They then came under far more pressure in the second half and rode their luck on several occasions, but the defensive principles stayed sound.

    Marcus Rashford scores.

    Marcus Rashford scores.

    TACTICAL TALKING POINT

    Front three

    The make-up of United’s attack was particularly intriguing with Lingard played through the middle, flanked by Rashford and Martial.

    Lingard didn’t have his most impressive game but his role was crucial to United’s press which wasn’t aggressive but focused on cutting off passing lanes.

    United also tried to leave at least two men forward for the counter as far as possible with the pace of Rashford and Martial attacking the spaces on the outside of the two centre-backs vacated by Spurs’ advanced full-backs.

    Lingard and Rashford occasionally swapped positions as well, lending plenty of fluidity to the attack.

    United's attack posed a threat.

    United’s attack posed a threat.

    VERDICT

    Solskjaer’s reign so far has been played down by critics with Tottenham’s challenge made out to be the real test. The Norwegian’s passed it with some clever tactics and a helping hand (so to speak) from his outstanding keeper. A bonus? There was no bus in sight.

    Rating 8/10

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